Perfectly imperfect memories. More than a photoshoot, it's an experience.

Admit it! We all can use a vacation from our vacation... right? This past week I have spent my time in New Orleans and cruising to Mexico. But we will dive into that subject a little later. I am working a little backwards at the moment, but its truly nothing new for me. I seem to work very sporadically. Hey, its the artist in me.... well at least thats what I use has my excuse...haha!

Once back from vacation, I took some time to spend with my family and on the very last day I couldn't stand to be away from my camera another second. Sad? right? All of a sudden these visions were popping up in my head, and not just ONE but many different visions and ideas.

My poor husband, he just runs with it. Helps me to complete the visions. Without him, 80% of these visions would never come together.

While I was unable to complete one of the visions on time, its still in the works, we were able to pull off two of them! Actually we just combined them together and it worked perfectly! While the promo session itself ran smoothly, nothing else seemed to run as smooth. This is what I like to call, the joys of a new set-up.

As you can imagine, dragging a three year old out into the hot sun, past a huge playground, only to stick her in a milk bath for photos was not her ideal day of fun. Where as clients just bring their kids for a 20 minute fun session, my children get the pleasure of sitting and waiting for new set ups to well.... set up. AND then becoming my test models. I know its hard life. lol. BUT to my surprise, after a little whining, she actually took it upon herself to start undressing before I even had the water in the barrel and the fabric/flowers all set up! At this point she became anxious and that is all she wanted to do. So naturally my husband and I rushed a little as we were racing against the patiences of a three year old drama queen.

We did it though! Even with a leaky barrel (which is now sealed), clearing out ugly weeds and thorns, and maintaining positive attitudes from the children.... we did it. My vision came to life and I could not be more proud. Seriously my family is AMAZING.

Take a look at some of the many images taken from yesterdays spring promo shoot. Spring sessions and milk bath sessions are now available for purchase! Click here for direct link. Check out my Facebook page for special discounts!

This beautiful, inspiring woman, is 60 years young. Imagine my happiness when this spunky lady contacted me for a boudoir session! I legit jumped off my chair and jumped for joy. Not every day do you get the chance to photograph someone with so much wisdom and you know for a fact they trust you because this is not just any kind of portrait session, this is a very vulnerable situation. Any woman, any shape, size, or age, is ultimately putting their faith and trust in you. As a photographer you have the responsibility to show these women what the world sees, but sometimes they can't see themselves, their awesomeness! I want every woman to see their beauty that radiants from the inside, out. I want the world to know just how amazing these women are.

Maria has the way about her. She walks into a room and you just smile!! She is by far one of the sweetest women I have ever met. Sure, she was nervous, as most women are before a session such as this. That quickly subsided! We bonded on laughter and stories of when she was a model in her early years. We talked about her days as a photographer and photographing weddings with her husband by her side.

Oh yes, her very comedic husband! First time I ever met Maria and her husband, I had been working their daughter's wedding. I almost had to put her husband in time out (kidding lol) because I simply could not even focus on my job. He had me cracking up. Needless to say, she has her hands full with that one, but I know she will never go a day without a smile with him by her side!

By the end of the session, I praised her for doing so well and jokingly asked if she would come back the next day to show the younger ladies how it is really done. Guess what? 8:00am, there she was, by my side and supporting these beautiful women! Maria gave every ounce of encouragement to anyone feeling a little nervous for their boudoir session. Sadly, she had to leave early from our boudoir marathon, but she truly started the party for us all!

Overall I was overcome with joy and so many other emotions. Maria had waited 10 years for a session like this. 10 years to find someone she trust enough with this particular session. She gave me the honor of documenting this part of her life. She put all her trust in me. While that is sometimes a lot to take in, cause you don't want to screw it up (haha), it means the world to me. It's important that all my boudoir ladies feel comfortable, safe and trusting! And by the end of it, I hope that I can spark a fire in them that they never saw until they looked at themselves through these photographs.

Since June of 2016, I have been dreaming up a spectacular themed session I have yet to attempt. Over time I started to piece costumes and props together for, what would become, a circus themed session. After seeing The Greatest Showman for the first time (I have seen it four times, haha), I couldn't stop smiling. And this only added fuel to the my fire! I was taken back and for those who know me, I love being transported back to a different time and era. It's what I love to portray in most, if not all, of my photographs. This movie truly gave me all the feels. I am so passionate about being different, something that this movie strongly focuses on. Watching P.T. Barnum build up this empire from almost nothing, pushing away the negativity and making something positive from it, something I can relate to on so many levels. And with music and dance being such a big part of my life.... they could not have done a better job in this department.... I was truly blown away.

Over the past year, I finally reached a major career goal of mine, to be known as the "themed" photographer. The photographer that creates an experience. I don't just take these themed sessions lightly either! I go all out. I do research. I live and breathe this theme for months. These sessions are what keep me going. One of the many reasons I love what I do! This has become one of my greatest accomplishments.

This time I knew I wanted to announce this particular themed session with bang. Even though using this particular location is out of the question for the offered sessions, I want my clients to really get an idea of where I am headed. And of course, this was a personal project for myself.

Savannah, my dance model for this session, attends Progress Village School of the Arts. Would you believe she has only been dancing for two years!? Yeah! This talented young lady is truly going places. I am sure this tiny dancer will be a star. Her personality and determination is out of this world. Before this project even started, I pulled out a pair of my very first pointe shoes my mother gave me years ago. These pointe shoes are what got me through so much and used in my audition for Harrison School for the Arts. Savannah knew just how important these were to me and I asked her to wear them so that I could capture a close up of them. She, of course, was up to the challenge (she has never worn a pair of pointe shoes). I will forever be grateful for this young lady. She will never know just how much that moment meant to me.

For those of you interested in the circus themed session, make sure to stay posted on my Facebook page (Dee's Vintage Photography). I am shooting for an April time frame, before my relocation to Alaska.